Forty-eight hours before he is scheduled to report for training camp, Avalanche center Matt Duchene continued to keep his distance from the team that has attempted to trade him since before the March 1 trade deadline and throughout the summer.

Duchene, the only veteran under contract who did not participate in last week’s voluntary captains skates, was a no-show Tuesday at the Avs’ charity golf tournament at The Ridge at Castle Pines North. The golf outing is typically a mandatory event for players, because it usually takes place during training camp or preseason. But veteran players aren’t required to report for training camp until Thursday morning at the Pepsi Center.

Duchene, 26, is Colorado’s most veteran active player and stands sixth all-time in club scoring with 418 points. Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic, at his Aug. 17 charity golf tournament, said Duchene will begin his ninth season with the club if trade offers don’t provide a sufficient return for the player in his prime.

“He really doesn’t have to be here. None of us have to be here today,” Avs defenseman Erik Johnson said. “It’s optional, because camp hasn’t started. I really don’t think it’s a story until Thursday, or not. Until then, it’s just all speculation. I wish I had a little more info to give you, but I don’t. Really, it’s a non-story until Thursday.”